…where technology meets learning

A Chief Learning Officer for India

I think it is about time we instituted the position of a national CLO.

Typically a CLO handles the strategic vision for education and training, implements initiatives for training and development, and is accountable for research.

For a typical organization, the CLO is tasked with an internal driven focus. This means a national CLO would be focused on training and development for all government departments including those concerned with education. While the respective departments would be functional skill and knowledge owners, the CLO would help drive initiatives which are tactical (specific skill based) as well as strategic or transformational (new knowledge and skills).

The CLO, in this day and age, would undoubtedly be an edTech champion, painting horizontal stripes of digital transformation. So, for example, she would figure ways in which simulation based training could help the Indian Postal Services to become more efficient.

But in our case, the CLO would also be tasked with an external focus, that of powering digital and other means of education for students, professionals, teachers and leaders. She would be empowered to push the transformational practices much needed in our country.

The CLO would also drive research and development initiatives that sit at the core of digital transformation. This R&D will in turn be shaped by the mission, vision and strategic roadmaps that she evolves.

The CLO would run a decentralized ship, given our structure, and would need to invest substantial time in building capable leaders to lead change at every level.

The CLO role is a crucial one for us today. We have a much varied capability spectrum in almost all fields including education. Legacy mindsets have to be challenged when it comes to education. Investments have to channelized towards a vision for digital transformation in education. And political and administrative might has to be leveraged for these purposes.

We are at the right juncture. A new education policy is about to be announced, digital initiatives are taking off and quick evolution of technology is fast making even elearning sound like a legacy approach. If we are smart enough, the CLO and her team can make rapid progress.